GLAAD - Kara Hayshttp://www.glaad.org/tags/kara-hays
enSnapshots of our work: Trans representation, ENDA info, HIV discriminationhttp://www.glaad.org/blog/snapshots-our-work-trans-representation-enda-info-hiv-discrimination
<div class="field field-name-field-blog-featured field-type-file field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span id="styles-0-0" class="styles file-styles 750px"> <img src="http://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/750px/public/snapshots%2520featured_5_9.png?itok=zP7VeCNi" alt="" title="" /></span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p>Wonder what we’re up to at GLAAD?</p>
<p>Be sure to check out GLAAD's Blog each week for updates about our latest work to build support for LGBT equality through news, entertainment and online media.</p>
<p><img class="media-image" height="425" id="2" style="height: 425px; width: 425px; margin: 5px;;;;;" width="425" src="http://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/ncavp_5_0_0_0.png?itok=jQOvVe3v" alt="" /></p>
<p>GLAAD <a href="http://www.glaad.org/blog/glaad-working-correct-media-coverage-trans-woman-murdered-philadelphia">responded to offensive media coverage</a> of a trans woman of color who was murdered in Philadelphia. With the help of <a href="http://transgriot.blogspot.com/2013/07/nefertiti-read-your-ap-stylebook.html">reporting by TransGriot</a>, GLAAD reached out to several local media outlets, including NBC Philadelphia and the New York Daily News, to ensure that the victim was <a href="http://www.glaad.org/blog/update-diamond-williams-transgender-woman-murdered-philadelphia">correctly identified as Diamond Williams</a>, after initial reports misgendered her. GLAAD also ensured that these same outlets reported respectfully <a href="http://www.glaad.org/blog/philadelphia-trans-community-and-allies-gather-love-park-hold-vigil-diamond-williams">on Diamond's vigil.</a></p>
<p><img class="media-image" height="320" id="2" style="height: 320px; width: 425px; margin: 5px;;;;;" width="425" src="http://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/o-KARA-HAYS-facebook_1_0.jpg?itok=IVcOrCfY" alt="" /></p>
<p>GLAAD <a href="http://www.glaad.org/blog/trans-advocate-kara-hays-clarifies-speaks-out-against-sensational-media-coverage">elevated the story of Kara Hays</a>, a trans woman who recently wrote <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/18/kara-hays-britney-spears_n_3613621.html">an article for the <em>Huffington Post</em></a>, discussing how the media sensationalized her story by claiming that she aspired to be a 'Britney Spears look-alike.' GLAAD will continue <a href="http://www.glaad.org/blog/trans-advocate-kara-hays-clarifies-speaks-out-against-sensational-media-coverage">working with Kara Hays</a> in promoting quality representations of trans people that affirm trans individuals' experiences and inform the public.</p>
<p><img class="media-image" height="283" id="2" style="height: 283px; width: 425px; margin: 5px;;;;;" width="425" src="http://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/san_antonio_tx_0.jpg?itok=y0kCiJvx" alt="" /></p>
<p>GLAAD is correcting <a href="http://www.glaad.org/blog/same-myths-about-enda-are-appearing-san-antonios-non-discrimination-ordinance">misinformation spread by anti-LGBT activists</a> in San Antonio. The claim that adding sexual orientation and gender identity to the San Antonio non-discrimination ordinance is a fabrication that mirrors the false claims made about the Employment Non-Discrimination Act making its way through congress now. GLAAD is working with San Antonio media to debunk claims that Christians would be barred from holding office if LGBT workers were protected.</p>
<p><img class="media-image" height="425" id="2" style="margin: 5px; height: 425px; width: 425px;;;;;" width="425" src="http://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/969765_10152412411248840_1060899982_n_0_0_1.jpg?itok=MvS94OL-" alt="" /></p>
<p>The media has given significant attention to churches who are kicking out the Boy Scouts after their change in policy to allow gay Scouts. GLAAD is <a href="http://www.glaad.org/blog/tell-whole-story-churches-ready-support-abandoned-boy-scout-troops">working to highlight the reality</a> that each time a Boy Scout troop has lost its sponsor, several other congregations and community organizations have been prepared to step up and support a more inclusive Boy Scouts.</p>
<p><img class="media-image" height="239" id="2" style="height: 239px; width: 425px; margin: 5px;;;;;" width="425" src="http://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/339457893_640_0.jpg?itok=yoUmAxy-" alt="" /></p>
<p>GLAAD <a href="http://www.glaad.org/blog/violent-preaching-video-targets-not-lgbt-couples-their-clergy-allies">brought attention to a video</a> of a sermon in which the Pastor Matt Brown of Sandals Church in California states that he would punch a fellow pastor who expresses love and support for LGBT couples. The video calls on the congregation to be "the best neighbor" to LGBT people, but states that Pastor Matt cannot control his violent tendencies for other pastors who are not as anti-gay as he is. Affirming clergy in Southern California are expressing their absolute opposition to such preaching.</p>
<p><img class="media-image" height="140" id="2" style="height: 140px; width: 425px; margin: 5px;;;;" width="425" src="http://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/login-logo_0.jpg?itok=taRpesD7" alt="" /></p>
<p>GLAAD <a href="http://www.glaad.org/blog/no-longer-criminal-us-house-accepts-reform-hiv-criminalization">brought attention to the potential lifting</a> of criminal sanctions against people living with HIV. The House Appropriations Committee advanced an amendment that would call on the Attorney General to review laws that unfairly criminalize people living with HIV. This bill has the potential to improve conditions for people living with HIV. Fear of discriminatory treatment in the criminal justice system disproportionally affects transgender people with HIV, leading to less testing and awareness of HIV status.</p>
<p>To get the latest updates and take part in GLAAD’s work to build support for LGBT equality, be sure to&nbsp;<a href="http://www.facebook.com/glaad">‘like’ us on Facebook</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="http://www.twitter.com/glaad">follow us on Twitter</a>!</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pubdate field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">July 29, 2013</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix clearfix">
<div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div>
<ul class="field-items">
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/snapshots">Snapshots</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/transgender-women-color">transgender women of color</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/transgender-women">transgender women</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/anti-transgender-violence">anti-transgender violence</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/murder">Murder</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/philadelphia">Philadelphia</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/kara">Kara</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/kara-hays">Kara Hays</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/misrepresentation">misrepresentation</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/daily-news">Daily News</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/huffington-post">Huffington Post</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/huffpost">Huffpost</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/san-antonio">San Antonio</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/texas">Texas</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/enda">ENDA</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/employment-non-discrimination-act">Employment Non-Discrimination Act</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/san-antonio-family-association">San Antonio Family Association</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/boy-scouts-america">Boy Scouts of America</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/boy-scouts">Boy Scouts</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/church">church</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/christian">Christian</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/matt-brown">Matt Brown</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/sandals-church">Sandals Church</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/california">California</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/violent-preaching">violent preaching</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/hiv-0">HIV</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/aids">AIDS</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/barbara-lee">Barbara Lee</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/sero-project">Sero Project</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
Mon, 29 Jul 2013 15:44:00 +0000ryanhoulihan67248 at http://www.glaad.orghttp://www.glaad.org/blog/snapshots-our-work-trans-representation-enda-info-hiv-discrimination#commentsTrans advocate Kara Hays clarifies, speaks out against sensational media coveragehttp://www.glaad.org/blog/trans-advocate-kara-hays-clarifies-speaks-out-against-sensational-media-coverage
<div class="field field-name-field-blog-featured field-type-file field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span id="styles-1-0" class="styles file-styles 750px"> <img id="1" src="http://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/750px/public/o-KARA-HAYS-facebook_1.jpg?itok=rkehZAWu" alt="" title="" /></span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p>In July of last year, trans advocate and aspiring actress <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/18/kara-hays-britney-spears_n_3613621.html" target="_blank">Kara Hays</a> shared with the Daily Mail her experiences growing up and coming out as a trans woman in the southern Bible Belt. She spoke passionately about the lack of acceptance she encountered in her small, conservative high school and her difficult path to acceptance with her parents. During the interview Hays briefly mentioned that her idol and inspiration was pop singer Britney Spears, whose strength helped her through depression and difficult times.</p>
<p>A year later, Hays has now come forward to say that her story was grossly misrepresented by the Daily Mail, MSN, and other media organizations whose articles written about her focused only on her transition-related surgeries and their monetary cost, as well as her "obsession" with Britney's appearance. These tabloid-esque articles overlooked the truth—that she was, in fact, a courageous woman for sharing her story and speaking out for the trans and LGBT community in general.</p>
<p>At the time, many news organizations, including the Huffington Post, stated that Hays' purpose in undergoing multiple surgeries was to 'look like Britney Spears.' Now, a full year later, <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/18/kara-hays-britney-spears_n_3613621.html">HuffPost</a> has issued a follow-up article with clarification from Hays herself.</p>
<p>Regarding the effect that the sensational reporting has had on her life, Hays states that "the story really hurt [her] reputation and…sent the community so many steps back." While she originally intended to represent the trans community and show support by coming out in the media, Hays has come to the realization that "being trans in the media is a very tricky thing…it's a double-edged sword because you're put under a microscope once again. The media usually only wants to focus on… the two S's: sexuality and surgery. And that's it. So we're not seen as being human beings."</p>
<p>GLAAD has been working with various media outlets to call for <a href="http://www.glaad.org/reference/transgender" target="_blank">greater responsibility when reporting on trans people and issues are represented</a>. Rather than asking invasive questions in the so-called "human interest"–for example, the cost of any particular surgery or other questions irrelevant to the proper telling of the story–writers should strive to meet higher journalistic standards. Unless openly volunteered by the trans individual during the interview process, figures in the media should not solicit pre-transition materials such as photographs taken in early childhood or a trans individual's birth name. Above all else, news organizations must hold themselves accountable for the quality of the trans-related content they produce. Sensational trans narratives in the media have always been a serious problem, with trans peoples' stories trivialized, sexualized, or otherwise exploited for the sake of selling a story. GLAAD will continue working with Kara Hays in promoting quality representations of trans people that affirm trans individuals' experiences and inform the public.</p>
<p>If you see defamatory media coverage of transgender people, please report the incident to&nbsp;<a href="http://www.glaad.org/reportdefamation" target="_blank">www.glaad.org/reportdefamation</a>.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pubdate field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">July 23, 2013</span></div></div></div>
<div class="field field-name-field-issues field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix clearfix">
<div class="field-label">Issues:&nbsp;</div>
<ul class="field-items">
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/issues/transgender">Transgender</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
<div class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix clearfix">
<div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div>
<ul class="field-items">
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/kara">Kara</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/kara-hays">Kara Hays</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/misrepresentation">misrepresentation</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/britney-spears">Britney Spears</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/britney">Britney</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/spears">Spears</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/daily-news">Daily News</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/huffington-post">Huffington Post</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/huffpost">Huffpost</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
Mon, 22 Jul 2013 19:36:15 +0000calliopewong67118 at http://www.glaad.orghttp://www.glaad.org/blog/trans-advocate-kara-hays-clarifies-speaks-out-against-sensational-media-coverage#comments